A woman who finally managed to convince her partner to get a puppy has shared the sobering reality of welcoming a rescue dog into the family.
The TikTok video, posted by @diaamonddadriii, shows a frightened brown pup standing in a corner, occasionally glancing at her while she gently offers a treat. But the little dog isn’t tempted to even sniff it. The text layered over the viral clip reads: “he wants nothing to do with me,” while the caption reveals that he even “growls” if she gets too close.
So far, the video has 1.7 million views and over 382,000 likes, at the time of writing.
The pup’s behavior has sparked concern in the comments, with some viewers asking whether he might have been abused. In a follow-up clip, the new owner explained: “I think [the previous owners] just didn’t show any love and affection so he’s like standoffish.”
“That puppy said STRANGER DANGER,” joked one user, while another reassured: “He’s so cute he just needs time to get used to his new family.”
A third viewer added: “This would actually break my heart.”
The woman has since shared more videos of the dog eating some chicken and allowing her to hold him.
There’s “no one-size-fits-all” timeline when it comes to adopting a dog. Many rescue shelters encourage new owners to follow what’s known as the 3-3-3 rule, a guideline for understanding how long it may take a new dog to truly settle into their forever home.
According to the U.K. based dog rescue and rehoming charity DogsnHomes, the 3-3-3 rule stands for:
3 days for a dog to decompress from travel,
3 weeks to adapt to a new routine, and
3 months to feel fully at home.
The charity stresses this is not a strict timeline—every dog is different and may need more or less time.
In the first three days, a dog recovers from the stress of travel and begins adjusting to a new environment. For many rescues, that journey can last 48 hours, with more than 24 hours on the road. It’s exhausting and disorienting, so monitoring their eating, sleeping and toilet habits is key.
Over the following three weeks, dogs learn the sights, smells and rhythms of their new home, meeting new human and animal companions and discovering their new walking routes, food and sleeping spots. Owners are advised to offer clear boundaries, reassurance and consistent rules.
By around three months, most dogs feel secure and see their new house as home. They’ll recognize daily routines, greet their owners with confidence and be fully integrated into family life—a transformation that proves patience and love are as essential as food and water.
Newsweek reached out to @diaamonddadriii for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.